How Advertising Depicts Gays and Lesbians
Characterizations in mainstream television commercials rely on stereotypes ranging from diva queens to scary leather men.
by Julia Hanna


As a longtime reporter on the advertising industry, Michael Wilke understands that television commercials are made to sell products, not create social change. But when it comes to representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, he'd like companies to at least acknowledge that advertising can have a positive or negative effect on how people perceive one another.